The Social Cohesion Survey is a series of detailed surveys on social cohesion, immigration and population issues. A prime objective of the surveys is to further understanding of the social impact of Australia's increasingly diverse immigration program. The series of surveys forms part of the Scanlon Foundation Social Cohesion Research Program (SCRP) which commenced in 2007 under the direction of the Monash Institute for the Study of Global Movements (MISGM) and the Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF). A key element of the SCRP was the conduct of a landmark Australian Social Cohesion Survey in 2007.
This is the third study in the Social Cohesion Survey series, wtih the aims:
• To look at the Australian community’s attitudes towards social cohesion, and
• To assess changes in these attitudes over time.
The 2010 survey used a randomly sampled 2,000 respondents with the sample stratified geographically. A minimum of 200 interviews was undertaken in each Australian state / territory (i.e. 1,600 interviews) with the remaining 400 interviews allocated across the five most populous states (i.e. NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA and SA) in proportion to the population in those states. The study covered a variety of topics, including economic conditions, political participation, socio-cultural attitudes, discrimination, local communities and future growth.

Bibliographic Citation

Markus, A. et al. Australian Social Cohesion Survey, 2010. [Computer file]. Canberra: Australian Data Archive, The Australian National University, 2016.

Persons aged 18 years and over who were residents of private households in Australia

Date of Collection

Start date - Data Collection: 2010-06-01

End date - Data Collection: 2010-06-01

Time Period

Time Period - Start: 2010-06-01

Time Period - End: 2010-06-01

Geographic Coverage

National

Geographic Unit

State

Methodology

Content

Sampling Procedure

One-stage stratified or systematic random sample

Data Kind

Survey data

Response Rate

The response rate was defined as interviews as a proportion of interviews plus refusals. On this basis the final overall response rate for the 2010 survey was 51%.

Data Access

Content

Access Conditions

The depositor may be informed (by the archive) of use being made of the data, in order to comment on that use and make contact with colleagues of similar interests.

Deposit Information

Content

Depositor

Sebastian Misson

Deposit Date

2015-07-14

Version

Version 1.0

Other

Content

Unit of Analysis

Individual

Mode of Data Collection

Telephone interview

Comment

The Social Cohesion Survey is a series of detailed surveys on social cohesion, immigration and population issues. A prime objective of the surveys is to further understanding of the social impact of Australia's increasingly diverse immigration program. The series of surveys forms part of the Scanlon Foundation Social Cohesion Research Program (SCRP) which commenced in 2007 under the direction of the Monash Institute for the Study of Global Movements (MISGM) and the Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF). A key element of the SCRP was the conduct of a landmark Australian Social Cohesion Survey in 2007.
This is the third study in the Social Cohesion Survey series, wtih the aims:
• To look at the Australian community’s attitudes towards social cohesion, and
• To assess changes in these attitudes over time.
The 2010 survey used a randomly sampled 2,000 respondents with the sample stratified geographically. A minimum of 200 interviews was undertaken in each Australian state / territory (i.e. 1,600 interviews) with the remaining 400 interviews allocated across the five most populous states (i.e. NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA and SA) in proportion to the population in those states. The study covered a variety of topics, including economic conditions, political participation, socio-cultural attitudes, discrimination, local communities and future growth.

Study Creation Date

2016-08-05 16:52:17 UTC

Data Collectors

The Social Research Centre

distribution_date

2016-08-05

Bibliographic Citation (documentation)

Markus, A. et al. Australian Social Cohesion Survey, 2010. [Computer file]. Canberra: Australian Data Archive, The Australian National University, 2016.

A “rim weighting” approach was used to adjust for differential survey response rates across age, gender and educational attainment and, where necessary, to also adjust for disproportionate aspects of the sample design (e.g.: disproportionate geographic distribution). Where possible, proportions were taken from the 2009 ABS population statistics rather than the 2006 data used in the previous surveys. “Rim weighting” was used to create weights which adjusted the data in-line with Australian Bureau of Statistics counts on these variables. The weights are created using a statistical regression approach which seeks to achieve the “best fit” possible with the population proportions specified by the weighting variables while disturbing the overall data as little as possible. The algorithm used for this purpose was provided in the Social Research Centre’s Quantum analysis software to develop sample weights which incorporate the variables state, age, gender, country of birth and educational attainment.

ADA ID

au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291

Label

Australian Social Cohesion Survey, 2010

Language

en

Countries

Australia

Type of Research Instrument

Structured

ADA Processing Level

Level 3

Producer

Markus, Andrew Smith, Bruce

ADA Study Level

Level 3

Version Date

2016-08-05

Version Responsibility

Australian Data Archive

Time Method

Repeated cross-sectional study

Weighting

A “rim weighting” approach was used to adjust for differential survey response rates across age, gender and educational attainment and, where necessary, to also adjust for disproportionate aspects of the sample design (e.g.: disproportionate geographic distribution). Where possible, proportions were taken from the 2009 ABS population statistics rather than the 2006 data used in the previous surveys. “Rim weighting” was used to create weights which adjusted the data in-line with Australian Bureau of Statistics counts on these variables. The weights are created using a statistical regression approach which seeks to achieve the “best fit” possible with the population proportions specified by the weighting variables while disturbing the overall data as little as possible. The algorithm used for this purpose was provided in the Social Research Centre’s Quantum analysis software to develop sample weights which incorporate the variables state, age, gender, country of birth and educational attainment.

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Too many Asylum Seekers/refugees / boat people (negative comment)

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Poor treatment of Asylum Seekers/refugees / boat people (sympathetic comment)

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Employment/ jobs/ unemployment

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Environment/ climate change/ water shortages

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Government/ quality of/ politicians

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Health/ medical/ hospitals

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Housing shortages/ affordability/ interest rates

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Indigenous people (health, poverty, etc)

Label: AN1 Most important problems facing Australia today - Population growth/ over-crowding/ ageing of the population

Variable Name: an1_15

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V15

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (DO NOT READ OUT; MAXIMUM OF TWO RESPONSES ONLY)

Variable Position: 15

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Population growth/ over-crowding/ ageing of the population

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Poverty/ welfare issues

Label: AN1 Most important problems facing Australia today - Social Issues - Other

Variable Name: an1_19

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V19

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (DO NOT READ OUT; MAXIMUM OF TWO RESPONSES ONLY)

Variable Position: 19

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Social Issues – other (drug use, family breakdown, lack of personal direction, etc)

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Technology issues (overuse of computers, internet, computer privacy, etc)

Question Text: To start with, what do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
And what do you think is the NEXT most important problem facing Australia?
- Other (do not specify)

Label: A1B People living on low incomes in Australia receive enough financial support from the government.

Variable Name: a1b

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V27

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (PROBE: Is that agree or strongly agree / disagree or strongly disagree?)

Variable Position: 27

Question Text: I'd like you to tell me your views on various economic and social issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements.
- People living on low incomes in Australia receive enough financial support from the government

Label: A1C In Australia today, the gap between those with high incomes and those with low incomes is too large.

Variable Name: a1c

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V28

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (PROBE: Is that agree or strongly agree / disagree or strongly disagree?)

Variable Position: 28

Question Text: I'd like you to tell me your views on various economic and social issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements.
- In Australia today, the gap between those with high incomes and those with low incomes is too large.

Label: A1D Australia is a land of economic opportunity where in the long run, hard work brings a better life.

Variable Name: a1d

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V29

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (PROBE: Is that agree or strongly agree / disagree or strongly disagree?)

Variable Position: 29

Question Text: I'd like you to tell me your views on various economic and social issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements.
- Australia is a land of economic opportunity where in the long run, hard work brings a better life.

Label: B1NEW Have you done any unpaid voluntary work in the last 12 months?

Variable Name: b1new

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V32

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

Variable Position: 32

Pre-question Text: The next two questions are about unpaid voluntary work. By this I mean any unpaid help you give to the community in which you live, or to an organisation or group to which you belong.
It could be to a school, a sporting club, the elderly, a religious group or people who have recently arrived to settle in Australia.

Question Text: Have you done any unpaid voluntary work of this kind in the last 12 months?

Label: B4 Please tell me which if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so. (Voted in an election)

Variable Name: b4_1

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V34

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (READ OUT) (ACCEPT MULTIPLES)

Variable Position: 34

Question Text: Now some questions about different forms of political action people can take. Please tell me which, if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so?
- Voted in an election

Label: B4 Please tell me which if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so. (Signed a petition)

Variable Name: b4_2

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V35

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (READ OUT) (ACCEPT MULTIPLES)

Variable Position: 35

Question Text: Now some questions about different forms of political action people can take. Please tell me which, if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so?
- Signed a petition

Label: B4 Please tell me which if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so. (Written or spoken to a Federal or State Member of Parliament)

Variable Name: b4_3

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V36

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (READ OUT) (ACCEPT MULTIPLES)

Variable Position: 36

Question Text: Now some questions about different forms of political action people can take. Please tell me which, if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so?
- Written or spoken to a Federal or State Member of Parliament

Label: B4 Please tell me which if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so. (Joined a boycott of a product or company)

Variable Name: b4_5

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V37

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (READ OUT) (ACCEPT MULTIPLES)

Variable Position: 37

Question Text: Now some questions about different forms of political action people can take. Please tell me which, if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so?
- Joined a boycott of a product or company

Label: B4 Please tell me which if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so. (Attended a protest, march or demonstration)

Variable Name: b4_6

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V38

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (READ OUT) (ACCEPT MULTIPLES)

Variable Position: 38

Question Text: Now some questions about different forms of political action people can take. Please tell me which, if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so?
- Attended a protest, march or demonstration

Label: B4 Please tell me which if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so. (None of the above)

Variable Name: b4_9

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V39

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (READ OUT) (ACCEPT MULTIPLES)

Variable Position: 39

Question Text: Now some questions about different forms of political action people can take. Please tell me which, if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so?
- (None of the above)

Label: B4 Please tell me which if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so. Don't know

Variable Name: b4_10

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V40

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (READ OUT) (ACCEPT MULTIPLES)

Variable Position: 40

Question Text: Now some questions about different forms of political action people can take. Please tell me which, if any, of the following you have done over the last three years or so?
- (Don’t know)

Label: F6 What comes closest to your view. It is better for a country if . . .

Variable Name: f6

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V96

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

Variable Position: 96

Question Text: Which of the following two statements is closest to your view? It is better for a country if different racial or ethnic groups maintain their distinct customs and traditions OR if these groups adapt and blend into the larger society.

Label: G2 In your view, would an Australian population of 36 million by 2050 be . . .

Variable Name: g2

Nesstar ID: au.edu.anu.ada.ddi.01291_V100

Invalid Cases: 0

Valid Cases: 2021

notes: (PROBE: Is that much too large or too large/ too small or much too small?)
[Interviewer Note: If asked, the current Australian population is slightly over 22 million]

Variable Position: 100

Question Text: It has been predicted that Australia’s population will reach 36 million by the year 2050? In your view, would an Australian population of 36 million by then be [too large, too small or about right]?